Tolerability of an Ancient Grain in Patients With Non-Celiac Wheat Sensitivity. A Clinical Study and a Search for Diagnostic Biomarkers.

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Dietary supplement
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

Patients suffering from wheat-related troubles, in absence of celiac disease or wheat allergy diagnosis, can suffer from non-celiac wheat sensitivity (NCWS). This is characterized by both gastrointestinal (GI) and extra-intestinal symptoms, which improve with the elimination of wheat intake. To date no definitive explanation of pathogenetic mechanisms of NCWS has been proved, and, similarly, no specific non-invasive diagnostic biomarker has been recognized. A real need of strict adherence to wheat-free diet (WFD) in NCWS has never been demonstrated. In this context, research is actively trying to find wheat varieties with absent or low immune-reactivity to be used for the treatment of NCWS patients. Preliminary evidence supports the assumption that diploid wheat species, as Triticum monococcum (TM), compared to common ones (Triticum aestivum (TA), could possess a lower immunogenic potential in NCWS patients. The first objective of our project is to verify whether the use of a diploid wheat (TM), with a lower concentrations and bioactivity of Amylase-Trypsin-Inhibitors (ATIs) and with gliadin proteins with a better digestibility, compared to a hexaploid one (TA) could improve both symptoms and quality of life (QoL) of NCWS subjects. The second objective is the identification of non-invasive serological biomarkers for NCWS diagnosis. The third objective is to identify T cell lymphocytes able to recognize cognate peptides from wheat proteins to better classify and monitor patients affected by NCWS. To achieve these results we planned a prospective, double-blind clinical trial with crossover, in which patients already diagnosed with NCWS (according to international criteria and with a double-blind placebo-controlled wheat challenge), following a strict WFD, will be exposed in double-blind to both TM and TA. All the patients will be evaluated clinically at the different timepoints with validated scales to assess tolerability of TM. Moreover, their intestinal permeability, immunological activation and gut microbiota patterns will be studied by both in vitro and in vivo techniques. Finally, a randomly chosen subset of patients will be studied through single cell transcriptome and T-cell receptor (TCR) sequencing on rectoscopy biopsy specimens to identify, T cell lymphocytes able to recognize cognate peptides from wheat proteins.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 18
Maximum Age: 65
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

• age \>18 and \<65 years;

• negativity of class A (IgA) and G (IgG) immunoglobulin (Ig) anti-deamidated gliadin (anti-DGP); negativity of IgA and IgG anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) and anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA) ;

• absence of intestinal villous atrophy, documented in all patients carrying the DQ2 and/or DQ8 human leukocyte antigen haplotypes (therefore regardless of the negativity of celiac disease-specific serum antibodies);

• absence of wheat allergy (negative prick test and/or serum IgE measurement specific to wheat, gluten and gliadin).

Locations
Other Locations
Italy
University Hospital of Palermo
RECRUITING
Palermo
Contact Information
Primary
Pasquale Mansueto, MD
pasquale.mansueto@unipa.it
00390916554815
Backup
Aurelio Seidita, MD
aurelio.seidita@unipa.it
00390916554815
Time Frame
Start Date: 2024-02-01
Estimated Completion Date: 2026-11-30
Participants
Target number of participants: 68
Treatments
Experimental: NCWS Packets A-B
NCWS patients will undergo a Double-Blind Wheat Challenge DBWC with an ancient diploid wheat (TM) or a modern hexaploid wheat (TA). This DBWC will be performed with flour packets coded A or B, each containing respectively one of the wheat varieties. Packets A or B will be given for 1 week and then, after 1 week of washout (or until patients report complete well-being), the patients will receive the other packets for another 1 week (cross-over design).
Experimental: NCWS Packets B-A
NCWS patients will undergo a Double-Blind Wheat Challenge DBWC with an ancient diploid wheat (TM) or a modern hexaploid wheat (TA). This DBWC will be performed with flour packets coded A or B, each containing respectively one of the wheat varieties. Packets A or B will be given for 1 week and then, after 1 week of washout (or until patients report complete well-being), the patients will receive the other packets for another 1 week (cross-over design).
Sponsors
Leads: University of Palermo

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov